SmackDown LIVE preview, July 4, 2017: John Cena returns on Independence Day

On a special July 4 edition of SmackDown LIVE, John Cena makes his long-awaited return to Team Blue. However, the 16-time World Champion’s Free Agent status has the WWE Universe wondering if this might be his last time he’ll be on SmackDown LIVE before heading to Raw. Plus, The New Face of America and United States Champion, Kevin Owens, will find out who his WWE Battleground opponent will be after an Independence Day Battle Royal! Don't miss this high-stakes edition of SmackDown LIVE, tonight at 8/7 C on USA Network!

The New Day and The Usos square off in a Rap Battle tonight on SmackDown LIVE

SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos will get the chance to prove that they are truly better at everything than The New Day on the July 4 edition of SmackDown LIVE when the two teams trade bars in a Rap Battle.

Jimmy & Jey Uso were feeling extra cocky after defeating The Hype Bros last week, preventing Mojo Rawley & Zack Ryder from earning an opportunity at their titles. After the match, The New Day arrived to reveal that they would be challenging for The Usos’ titles at WWE Battleground.

The confrontation took a turn for the lyrical when the champions dropped a rhyme on their challenges, and The New Day responded in kind. But tonight on SmackDown LIVE, who will bring the super-hot rhymes and extinguish the competition?

Independence Day Battle Royal on SmackDown LIVE to determine United States Champion Kevin Owens’ WWE Battleground opponent

United States Champion Kevin Owens’ opponent for WWE Battleground on Sunday, July 23 will be determined tonight in an Independence Day Battle Royal on SmackDown LIVE.

AJ Styles has made it clear in recent weeks that he is coming after Owens, as he wants to represent the United States as its champion. The New Face of America gloated that The Phenomenal One would never get to answer his open challenge because he doesn’t deserve it.

However, SmackDown LIVE General Manager Daniel Bryan, who saw things a little differently than Owens, expanded the list of potential challengers to Owens’ title, much to the chagrin of KO.

Now, some of SmackDown LIVE’s top competitors will face off in an over-the-top-rope melee for an opportunity at Owens’ prize. Can Styles earn the chance he’s been looking for, or will a new Superstar emerge from the pack to challenge the United States Champion? Find out tonight on the July 4 edition of SmackDown LIVE at 8/7 C on USA Network!

John Cena returns to SmackDown LIVE tonight

The Fourth of July, a time for family, friends, fireworks … and JOHN CENA!

The Cenation Leader, who is now a Free Agent, returns to WWE tonight, when SmackDown LIVE airs on Independence Day. Cena has not been seen on WWE television since WrestleMania 33, when he famously proposed to Nikki Bella.

What will the 16-time World Champion have to say about the state of the blue brand upon his return? Find out tonight at 8/7 C on SmackDown LIVE on USA Network!

Naomi to defend SmackDown Women’s Title against Lana tonight

After making claims of a controversial ending in her previous title opportunity, Lana has been granted another chance to challenge SmackDown Women’s Champion Naomi tonight on SmackDown LIVE.

Shortly after her quick defeat at the hands of Naomi last Tuesday, Lana took to Twitter and pointed out that her shoulder was off the mat as the champion pinned her for the three-count, also throwing some shade at the referees and WWE officials in the process.

To clear things up once and for all, SmackDown LIVE General Manager Daniel Bryan announced on Friday that The Ravishing Russian will get another opportunity to prove herself against Naomi.

Will Naomi once again dash Lana’s championship dreams, or will the third time be a charm in The Ravishing Russian’s quest to claim the SmackDown Women’s Title? Find out tonight at 8/7 C on USA Network!​

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